The Massachusetts State Constitution

Lawrence M. Friedman and Lynnea Thody

Provides a historical account of Massachusett's constitutional evolution, allowing for readers to see the progression of legislation in context

Provides a provision-by-provision commentary of the state constitution of Massachusetts and includes analysis on the state>'s current constitution, providing an essential reference guide to understanding this important document.

The Massachusetts State Constitution

Lawrence M. Friedman and Lynnea Thody

Description

In The Massachusetts State Constitution, Lawrence Friedman and Lynnea Thody present a comprehensive and accessible survey of Massachusetts constitutional history and constitutional law. The Massachusetts Constitution is the oldest state constitution and has remained essentially unchanged since it was drafted in 1780. It served as a model for the United States Constitution and many of the state constitutions that followed.

The Massachusetts State Constitution provides an outstanding constitutional and historical account of the state's governing charter. It begins with an overview of Massachusetts's constitutional history, and then provides an in-depth, section-by-section analysis of the entire constitution, detailing important changes that have been made since its drafting. This treatment, which includes a list of cases, index, and bibliography, makes this guide indispensable for students, scholars, and practitioners of the Massachusetts constitution.

The Oxford Commentaries on the State Constitutions of the United States is an important series that reflects a renewed international interest in constitutional history and provides expert insight into each of the 50 state constitutions. Each volume in this innovative series contains a historical overview of the state's constitutional development, a section-by-section analysis of its current constitution, and a comprehensive guide to further research.

Under the expert editorship of Professor G. Alan Tarr, Director of the Center on State Constitutional Studies at Rutgers University, this series provides essential reference tools for understanding state constitutional law. Books in the series can be purchased individually or as part of a complete set, giving readers unmatched access to these important political documents.

The Massachusetts State Constitution

Lawrence M. Friedman and Lynnea Thody

Table of Contents

Series Forward by G. Alan TarrPrefaceAcknowledgementsPART I: THE CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTSPART II: MASSACHUSETTS CONSTITUTION AND COMMENTARYPart the First: The Declaration of RightsPart the Second: The Frame of GovernmentChapter I. The Legislative PowerChapter II. Executive PowerChapter III. Judiciary PowerChapter IV. Delegates to CongressChapter V. The University at Cambridge, and Encouragement of Literature, etc.Chapter VI. Oaths and Subscriptions; Incompatibility of and Exclusion from Offices; Pecuniary Qualifications; Bibliographical EssayTable of CasesIndex